My very first interaction with Mayor Penders was twentyish years ago shortly after I moved to Spencerport from Seattle, Washington. We had placed a dinner order with Chef King in the Village and was a little take aback when I went to pick up to find a man, who was obviously not of Asian heritage, working the counter! He was even chatting with the owner and his wife in their language! It was Gary Penders! Who on other occasions over the years, I have witnessed being greeted by the daughters of the Chef King owners with gleeful squeals, giggles, and hugs, the kind of reaction typically reserved for grandpas!
I have had the pleasure of working with Mayor Penders in a variety of capacities over the years. First, while I served on the Spencerport Volunteer Ambulance Board of Directors before its merger with Gates Volunteer Ambulance Service. He was serving on the Village Board of Trustees and was the EMS and Fire Department liaison. He was incredibly involved, conscientious, and it was very evident that he genuinely cares for his community.
As the president of the Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce, I have had the pleasure of working directly with Mayor Penders on a few projects that directly effect the business and greater area Spencerport community. Specifically, Mayor Penders and I worked together to strategize a plan that help the Village businesses navigate and weather the Union Street bridge closure. He was always highly attentive and extremely interested in not only learning about ways he could help by leveraging his position as Mayor but also instrumental in implementing the helps, such as, relaxing the Village sign regulation and codes to allow for more sandwich-board signs, and by supplementing advertising costs that were necessary to continue marketing our Village to the Greater Rochester Area.
A mark of a great leader is how his employees and subordinates talk and feel about them when they are not around. If you pull any of the Village employees aside and ask them their honest opinion and feedback on their boss, you will only hear good and positive things. He respects them, appreciates them, and considers himself their teammate. That is remarkable.
He is also a member of the Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department. A lifelong volunteer with the organization, he demonstrates a service that extends beyond a paycheck. It demonstrates deep care and compassion for his community and a dedication to service.
All these things considered; I will be voting for Mayor Pender’s re-election. Why?
One, in a world dominated by ego and self-serving politicians, Mayor Penders is a breath of fresh air! He is committed to the wellbeing of the Village of Spencerport.
Two, his track record for service and commitment to the community.
Three, at a time where the diversity of our demographics is called into question, he exhibits an affection toward all people groups.
Four, his leadership and effective collaboration has served our community by ushering improvements in infrastructure and Village services.
Five, Mayor Penders is interested in hearing and learning new ways to make Spencerport live up to our motto, Some Place Special.
Jillian Cordts
